GEORGE McHale has many claims to fame, but perhaps the most amusing is that he was a lighthouse keeper who couldn't swim!

The intrepid adventurer was born in Collyhurst, but moved to Langley in 1954, at the age of seven. After attending Langley Primary and Hollin School, George, of Factory Lane, Blackley decided to go into the upholstery trade and then joined the Army, serving in the Royal Corps of Transport.

After he served his time, George saw a small advert in the paper, appealing for prospective lighthouse keepers. He was 27 when he applied - a move which changed his life and give him some of his funniest experiences - yet to be beaten.

After a period of training, George was sent to Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse, before moving on to Lundy Island - 10 miles from Ilfracombe.

Although he couldn't swim, it was never mentioned during his training and it never bothered him because he always had a lifejacket on. In fact, one day he was so certain it would serve its purpose, he went fishing in an inflatable dinghy during a Force Eight gale.

For a few months, George acted as a peripatetic crew member, before getting the job as assistant lighthouse keeper at Longships, three miles from Lands End.

He stayed there for four years, before transfering to Lundy Island, where he stayed for nine years. Lundy was where George had most fun.

He loves to reminisce, saying: "There was one shop, one pub and 12 people. The pub didn't open in the winter, unless you knocked the landlord up, in which case he'd give you the keys and tell you to get on with it."

It was during his time on Lundy that he met Pancho - an Englishman with a Spanish name - who promised to teach him to swim. But just as George got into his stride, the swimming school closed for the winter. Pancho went on to pastures new, leaving George with the questionable talent of being able to go like a torpedo, thrashing around with flippers, but unable to co-ordinate his arms and legs.

During his career, George has even had a "Whisky Galore" episode, when a ship ran aground, only for all her vital supplies to disappear - along with vodka rations - courtesy of the locals.

So when he was diagnosed with cancer and feeling bored, he thought the time was right to start his book - Rolling On A Flat Sea. George is now hoping to find a publisher interested in his fishy tales, so he can make enough money to visit his brother in New South Wales, Australia.

He says: "I haven't seen Gordon in 21 years and I just want to pitch up on the doorstep."